EP4042938A1 - Magnetic resonance device with a cleaning unit, and a method for cleaning a patient receiving area - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is based on a magnetic resonance device with a scanner unit, a patient receiving area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, the scanner unit comprising a housing at least partially surrounding the patient receiving area, and a patient positioning device with a patient table, the patient table being designed for a horizontal movement within the patient receiving area is, wherein the magnetic resonance device has a cleaning unit for cleaning the housing surrounding the patient receiving area, wherein the cleaning unit is at least partially arranged on the patient table.

Description

The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance apparatus with a scanner unit, a patient receiving area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, the scanner unit comprising a housing at least partially surrounding the patient receiving area, and a patient support device with a patient table, the patient table being designed for horizontal movement within the patient table . Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for cleaning a patient receiving area, in particular a housing surrounding the patient receiving area, of a magnetic resonance device by means of a cleaning unit.

During magnetic resonance examinations in which the patient is introduced and/or driven into the patient accommodation area head first, the patient's head is located within the patient accommodation area for the entire duration of the magnetic resonance examination. Due to the construction of the patient receiving area with a diameter of approximately 60 cm to 80 cm and a length of 1.2 m to 1.8 m, the patient's head is relatively close to a housing of the magnetic resonance device surrounding the patient receiving area. As a result, a soiling and/or contamination of the patient receiving area and/or also the patient table can result from the patient breathing and/or coughing etc. alone.

Cleaning of the patient table and the housing surrounding the patient reception area is very different. While the patient table is in an extended state with respect to the patient receiving area for a cleaning personnel is freely accessible and can therefore be cleaned easily, the cleaning of the patient reception area, in particular the housing surrounding the patient reception area, is particularly difficult due to the length of the patient reception area. With a length of the magnetic resonance device and thus also of the patient admission area of 1.5 m and more, it is very difficult for the cleaning staff to reach the unclean areas and/or the contaminated areas within the patient admission area, in particular the housing surrounding the patient admission area.

The object of the present invention is in particular to enable simple and time-saving cleaning of the patient receiving area of a magnetic resonance device. The object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous configurations are described in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on a magnetic resonance device with a scanner unit, a patient receiving area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, the scanner unit comprising a housing at least partially surrounding the patient receiving area, and a patient positioning device with a patient table, the patient table being designed for a horizontal movement within the patient receiving area is. According to the invention, the magnetic resonance device has a cleaning unit for cleaning the housing surrounding the patient receiving area, with the cleaning unit being arranged at least partially on the patient table.

The magnetic resonance device preferably comprises a medical and/or diagnostic magnetic resonance device, which is designed and/or designed to acquire medical and/or diagnostic image data, in particular medical and/or diagnostic magnetic resonance image data, of a patient. For this purpose, the magnetic resonance device comprises the scanner unit. The scanner unit of the magnetic resonance device preferably comprises a detector unit, in particular a magnet unit, for acquiring the medical and/or diagnostic image data. In this case, the scanner unit, in particular the magnet unit, preferably comprises a basic magnet, a gradient system and a high-frequency antenna unit. The high-frequency antenna unit is fixedly arranged inside the scanner unit and is designed and/or constructed to emit an excitation pulse. In order to acquire the magnetic resonance signals, the magnetic resonance device has local high-frequency antenna units, which are arranged around the area of the patient to be examined.

The basic magnet is designed to generate a homogeneous basic magnetic field with a defined and/or specific magnetic field strength, such as a defined and/or specific magnetic field strength of 3 T or 1.5 T etc. In particular, the basic magnet is designed to generate a strong, constant and homogeneous basic magnetic field. The homogeneous basic magnetic field is preferably arranged and/or found within a patient receiving area of the magnetic resonance device. The gradient system is designed to generate magnetic field gradients that are used for spatial coding during imaging.

The patient recording area is designed and/or designed to record the patient, in particular the area of the patient to be examined, for a medical magnetic resonance examination. For example, for this purpose the patient reception area is configured in a cylindrical shape and/or is surrounded by the scanner unit in a cylindrical shape. For this purpose, the scanner unit has a housing that at least partially surrounds the patient receiving area. The housing of the scanner unit preferably surrounds the patient receiving area in a cylindrical manner. The housing can also include a side of the high-frequency antenna unit that faces the patient receiving area and/or can be in one piece with the patient receiving area be formed facing side of the radio frequency antenna unit.

A field of view (FOV) and/or an isocenter of the magnetic resonance device is/are preferably arranged within the patient recording area. The FOV preferably comprises a detection area of the magnetic resonance device, within which the conditions for a detection of medical image data, in particular magnetic resonance image data, are present within the patient recording area, such as a homogeneous basic magnetic field. The isocenter of the magnetic resonance device preferably includes the area and/or point within the magnetic resonance device that has the optimal and/or ideal conditions for the acquisition of medical image data, in particular magnetic resonance image data. In particular, the isocenter includes the most homogeneous magnetic field area within the magnetic resonance device.

The magnetic resonance device has the patient support device for positioning the patient, in particular the area of the patient to be examined, within the patient receiving area. The patient positioning device preferably has the movable patient table. The patient table is designed to support the patient. For a magnetic resonance examination, the patient is first positioned on the patient table of the patient positioning device and then the patient table is positioned together with the patient within the patient receiving area in such a way that the area of the patient to be examined is located within the FOV and/or the isocenter of the magnetic resonance device, in particular the scanner unit is. The patient table is designed and/or mounted so that it can be moved in the horizontal direction, in particular in the direction of entry, into the patient receiving area.

The cleaning unit is preferably designed to clean the patient receiving area, in particular the housing surrounding the patient receiving area. The cleaning unit is at least partially arranged on the patient table, so that a cleaning process can be started and/or carried out during a horizontal movement of the patient table. After a magnetic resonance examination on a patient, the patient table is preferably moved into the patient receiving area for cleaning the patient receiving area, in particular the housing surrounding the patient receiving area. The cleaning unit preferably has a plurality of modules and/or units, with at least one of these units and/or modules being arranged on the patient table.

The cleaning unit can be designed in such a way that the cleaning process can be carried out at least partially automatically and/or automatically by the cleaning unit, in particular after a magnetic resonance examination has ended. In this case, the cleaning unit preferably has a control unit and/or a computing unit, which is designed to control an execution of the cleaning process by means of the cleaning unit.

The invention enables simple and time-saving cleaning of the housing of the magnetic resonance device surrounding the patient receiving area. In particular, due to the at least partial arrangement of the cleaning unit on the patient table, dirty and/or contaminated areas within the patient reception area can be easily reached and the housing surrounding the patient reception area can thus be cleaned efficiently. A cleaning process is preferably carried out here by means of the cleaning unit during a horizontal movement of the patient table, in particular when the patient table is being moved into the patient accommodation area and/or when the patient table is being moved out of the patient accommodation area.

In an advantageous development of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the Cleaning unit has at least one unit which is arranged inside the patient table and/or can be arranged and/or positioned as an additional unit on the patient table. A unit that is arranged inside the patient table is to be understood here in particular as a unit of the cleaning unit that is arranged in an area surrounded by a housing of the patient table. An additional unit that can be arranged and/or positioned on the patient table is to be understood here in particular as meaning that the additional unit is only arranged and/or positioned on the patient table for cleaning purposes and is removed and/or removed from the patient table during a magnetic resonance examination on a patient. A particularly space-saving arrangement of the cleaning unit can be provided in this way. In addition, impairment of a support surface of the patient table for supporting the patient can also be advantageously prevented in this way. In particular, such an arrangement of the cleaning unit on the patient table advantageously prevents a restriction of the available space and/or space within the patient receiving area for a patient during a magnetic resonance examination. In addition, due to the configuration of the cleaning unit as an additional unit, which can be arranged and/or positioned on the patient table for cleaning the housing surrounding the patient receiving area, systems of magnetic resonance devices and/or patient positioning devices that already exist and/or are in use with a cleaning unit can also be used in particular simply be retrofitted. In this way, cleaning of the housing surrounding the patient receiving area can also be achieved and/or provided in a structurally simple manner.

In an advantageous development of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the cleaning unit has a spray unit, the spray unit having nozzles for distributing a cleaning agent. The cleaning agent preferably comprises a cleaning liquid so that distributing the cleaning agent comprises spraying the cleaning liquid. The spray unit, in particular the nozzles of the spray unit, is preferably arranged on the patient table in such a way that the cleaning agent hits the housing of the patient receiving area when the cleaning agent is distributed. In particular, the nozzles of the spray unit are integrated in the patient table and/or arranged on it as an additional unit. The nozzles can be directed upwards, in particular on a side of the housing of the patient accommodation area that faces a support surface of the patient table, so that preferably an area of the housing of the patient accommodation area that is exposed to a high probability of contamination and/or contamination during a magnetic resonance examination, for example from breathing and/or coughing of the patient is detected during the distribution of the cleaning agent, in particular the spraying of the cleaning liquid. This embodiment of the invention enables a simple and efficient, in particular area-wide, distribution of a cleaning agent, in particular a cleaning liquid, within the patient receiving area, in particular to a housing surrounding the patient receiving area.

In an advantageous development of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the nozzles are arranged in a front area of the patient table. The front area of the patient table preferably comprises an area which, when the patient table is moved into the patient accommodation area, is arranged at an end of the patient table pointing in the direction of travel and/or which, when the patient table is moved into the patient accommodation area, first moves inside the patient accommodation area. The spray unit with the nozzles can be integrated in the front area of the patient's table or can also be arranged and/or positioned as an additional unit in the front area of the patient's table.

Such an embodiment of the invention enables a cleaning agent, in particular a cleaning liquid, to be well distributed within the patient accommodation area, in particular on the housing surrounding the patient accommodation area, over the entire length of the patient accommodation area. In particular, by arranging the nozzles in the front area of the patient table, the application and/or spraying of the cleaning agent, in particular the cleaning liquid, can be started at the same time as the patient table is moved into the patient receiving area. In addition, the patient receiving area, in particular the housing surrounding the patient receiving area, can also be cleaned in this way along an entire length, in particular from an insertion opening of the patient receiving area to the position of the front end of the patient table, which the front end of the patient table has when the retraction movement of the patient table is ended.

In an advantageous development of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the spray unit has a reservoir, which is arranged on a base unit of the patient positioning device. In this context, a base unit of the patient positioning device should be understood to mean a unit that does not move relative to the magnetic resonance device and/or relative to the patient receiving area when the patient table moves horizontally into or out of the patient receiving area. The base unit of the patient support device is preferably also designed to support and/or support the patient table when the patient table is located outside the patient receiving area. The reservoir is preferably designed to hold a cleaning agent. In particular, the reservoir is designed as a liquid container for receiving a cleaning liquid. The reservoir, in particular the liquid container, can be designed to be refillable or also designed as an exchangeable and/or interchangeable disposable container be. The arrangement of the reservoir, in particular the liquid container, within the base unit of the patient support device can include an arrangement within an area that is surrounded by a housing of the base unit, such as a receiving compartment for accommodating the liquid container. Alternatively or additionally, the reservoir, in particular the liquid container, can also be arranged on an outside of the base unit of the patient positioning device, such as an arrangement using a holding element and/or a fastening element on the base unit. The reservoir, in particular the liquid container, is preferably arranged on the base unit so that it is accessible to a user and/or cleaning personnel.

Such an embodiment of the invention has the advantage that there is a sufficiently large supply of cleaning agent, in particular cleaning liquid, for cleaning the housing surrounding the patient receiving area and the cleaning of the housing surrounding the patient receiving area can be carried out without interruption. In addition, the spray unit can also have more than one reservoir, in particular more than one liquid container, with the two or more reservoirs having different cleaning agents for cleaning with different cleaning stages of the housing surrounding the patient receiving area.

Alternatively, if the cleaning unit, in particular the spray unit, is configured as an additional unit that can be attached and/or removed from the patient table, the reservoir for receiving the cleaning agent can also be configured as an additional unit. For a cleaning process of the housing surrounding the patient receiving area, the reservoir designed as an additional unit can also be arranged and/or positioned on the patient table. In addition, it can also be that for a cleaning process of the housing surrounding the patient receiving area the reservoir designed as an additional unit can also be arranged and/or positioned on the base unit, for example by means of fastening means and/or holding means, and/or can be positioned at other locations that appear sensible to the person skilled in the art during cleaning of the housing surrounding the patient admission area.

The spray unit can also have other units, such as a pump and/or a cleaning agent channel, etc. The storage container, in particular the liquid container, is preferably connected to the nozzles of the spray unit by means of the cleaning agent channel, so that the cleaning agent can be sprayed from the storage container, in particular the liquid container can be guided to the nozzles. The cleaning agent, in particular the cleaning liquid, is preferably pumped from the reservoir to the nozzles by means of the pump. In addition, the spray unit and/or the cleaning unit can also include a control unit, which controls distribution and/or application of the cleaning agent, in particular spraying of the cleaning liquid, by means of the spray unit.

In an advantageous development of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the cleaning unit has a drying unit, the drying unit being designed for drying air to flow into the patient receiving area. For this purpose, the drying unit preferably comprises air inlet openings which open into the patient receiving area. These air inlet openings can include nozzles, for example, through which the drying air can flow into the patient receiving area. These nozzles can be designed specifically for the inflow of air, in particular drying air. In addition, these nozzles of the drying unit can also be designed at least partially in one piece and/or in one piece with the nozzles of the suction unit, so that a particularly compact cleaning unit for cleaning the patient receiving area, in particular the housing surrounding the patient receiving area, can be reached. The drying unit preferably also has a fan and/or ventilator for generating an air flow and an air supply duct for transporting the drying air.

This embodiment of the invention has the advantage that rapid drying of the patient receiving area, in particular the housing surrounding the patient receiving area, is provided after a cleaning process and a long waiting time can thus be avoided until the magnetic resonance device is again available for a magnetic resonance examination. As a result, despite cleaning the patient receiving area after each magnetic resonance examination and/or after each patient change, a high number of magnetic resonance examinations and thus a high utilization of the magnetic resonance device can be achieved.

In an advantageous development of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the drying unit is arranged at least partially on the patient table and/or on the housing surrounding the patient receiving area. If the drying unit is arranged on the patient's table, the drying unit can be at least partially integrated within the patient's table. In addition, the drying unit can also be positioned on the patient table as an additional unit for cleaning the patient reception area. In this way, a cleaning process of the housing surrounding the patient reception area can be optimized in that, for example, when the patient table is moved into the patient reception area, the cleaning agent, in particular the cleaning liquid, is distributed to the housing of the patient reception area by means of the spray unit, in particular the nozzles of the spray unit, and When the patient table is extended out of the patient receiving area, the drying unit effects drying of the housing surrounding the patient receiving area.

Alternatively or additionally, the drying unit can also be arranged at least partially on the housing surrounding the patient receiving area. The drying unit can be integrated, for example, within a patient ventilation system that is designed to ventilate the patient admission area. A particularly compact and space-saving cleaning unit can be provided in this way.

In an advantageous development of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the cleaning unit has a suction unit. A suction unit can advantageously keep a MAK (maximum workplace concentration) value of cleaning agent aerosols in the air after the cleaning agent has been applied, in particular after the cleaning liquid has been sprayed, within a permissible range and thus also pose a risk and/or damage to the health of the patient a magnetic resonance examination following the cleaning of the housing surrounding the patient receiving area.

The suction unit preferably comprises a ventilator and/or a fan and/or a suction pump, which is designed to generate a suction flow. Furthermore, the suction unit preferably has at least one suction opening, which can also include a suction nozzle, for example. In addition, the suction unit can also include a suction channel, which transports air that has been sucked in, in particular transports it away from the patient admission area.

In an advantageous development of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the suction unit is arranged at least partially on the housing surrounding the patient receiving area and/or on the patient table. The suction unit preferably has at least one suction opening and/or at least one suction nozzle, wherein the at least one suction opening and/or the at least one suction nozzle is arranged on the housing surrounding the patient receiving area and/or on the patient table. The at least one suction opening and/or the at least one suction nozzle of the suction unit can be at least partially integrated within the patient table. The suction unit, in particular the at least one suction opening and/or the at least one suction nozzle of the suction unit, can also be designed at least partially in one piece and/or in one piece with the spray unit. For example, the nozzles of the spray unit can be designed as double nozzles, which can discharge and/or spray a cleaning agent and can also be designed to suck off cleaning aerosols after the cleaning agent has been discharged.

In addition, the suction unit can also be arranged and/or positioned as an additional unit on the patient table for cleaning the housing surrounding the patient receiving area. The suction unit can be arranged, for example, after the spray unit in the retraction direction of the patient table, in particular in a central area of the patient table and/or in a rear area of the patient table. In addition, the suction unit can also have a suction opening, which is arranged on the housing of the patient receiving area and can thus suck the air out of the patient receiving area. The suction unit can have one or more suction openings and/or suction nozzles.

This configuration of the invention makes it possible to achieve the advantage that a particularly space-saving arrangement of the suction unit can be provided.

In an advantageous development of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the suction unit comprises at least one suction channel with a filter. In this way, the air can escape from the patient receiving area not only be sucked off but also cleaned with regard to cleaning aerosols. In addition, a MAK value of the cleaning agent can be maintained particularly efficiently in this way. The ventilation duct preferably also has an outlet opening, with the filter being arranged in front of the outlet opening in a flow direction of an intake air. The filter is preferably arranged in an exchangeable manner within the suction channel, with the filter being arranged in the vicinity of the outlet opening for this purpose, in order to allow easy access for a filter change for a user, for example cleaning staff.

• Einfahren eines Patiententischs in den Patientenaufnahmebereich, wobei an dem Patiententisch die Reinigungseinheit angeordnet ist,
• Gleichzeitig mit dem Einfahren des Patiententischs in den Patientenaufnahmebereich erfolgt ein Ausführen eines ersten Reinigungsschritts eines Reinigungsvorgangs, wobei der erste Reinigungsschritt ein Ausbringen eines Reinigungsmittels mittels der Reinigungseinheit umfasst, und
• Ausführen eines zweiten Reinigungsschritts, wobei der zweite Reinigungsschritt einen Trocknungsschritt und/oder einen Absaugschritt umfasst.

Furthermore, the invention is based on a method for cleaning a patient receiving area, in particular a housing surrounding the patient receiving area, of a magnetic resonance device by means of a cleaning unit, the method comprising the following steps:

• Driving a patient table into the patient reception area, with the cleaning unit being arranged on the patient table,
• Simultaneously with the movement of the patient table into the patient receiving area, a first cleaning step of a cleaning process is carried out, wherein the first cleaning step includes the application of a cleaning agent by means of the cleaning unit, and
• Carrying out a second cleaning step, the second cleaning step comprising a drying step and/or a suction step.

Deploying the cleaning agent preferably includes distributing, in particular spraying, a cleaning liquid by means of a spray unit of the cleaning unit. The spray unit preferably has at least one nozzle, which can be integrated within the patient table. In addition, the spray unit can also be arranged and/or positioned as an additional unit on the patient table for a cleaning process. The spray unit is preferred, in particular the at least one nozzle of the spray unit is arranged and/or positioned in a front area of the patient table.

Due to the arrangement and/or positioning of the cleaning unit, in particular the spraying unit, in the front area of the patient table, the spraying unit is already located within the patient receiving area at the beginning of the movement of the patient table into the patient receiving area. Therefore, when the patient table is moved into the patient receiving area, the cleaning agent can also be applied at the same time, in particular a spraying of the cleaning liquid, by means of the spray unit. As a result, the patient receiving area, in particular the housing surrounding the patient receiving area, can be sprayed with a cleaning agent along its entire length and thus cleaned.

The second cleaning step of the cleaning process includes the drying step and/or the suction step. Both the drying step and the suction step are carried out by the cleaning unit. For this purpose, the cleaning unit preferably has a drying unit and/or a suction unit. Drying air can be blown into the patient reception area by means of the drying unit, which causes rapid drying of the surface of the patient reception area, in particular the surface of the housing of the patient reception area. Cleaning agent aerosols can be sucked off by means of the extraction unit and thus a concentration of the cleaning agent aerosols can be kept low, in particular a MAK value of the cleaning agent aerosols can be maintained. In this case, the drying unit and/or the suction unit is/are preferably arranged on the patient table and/or arranged on the housing surrounding the patient receiving area. In an arrangement of the drying unit and/or the suction unit on the patient's table, the drying unit and/or the suction unit can be at least partially integrated in the patient's table. Alternatively, it may also be that the drying unit and/or the suction unit can be arranged and/or positioned as an additional unit on the patient table for a cleaning process for cleaning the housing surrounding the patient receiving area.

The method according to the invention for cleaning the patient receiving area, in particular the housing surrounding the patient receiving area, enables simple and efficient cleaning of the housing of the magnetic resonance device surrounding the patient receiving area. In this case, the cleaning process can preferably be carried out by means of the cleaning unit during a single movement in and out of the patient table, thus enabling a particularly time-saving cleaning of the housing surrounding the patient receiving area.

The advantages of the method according to the invention for cleaning a housing surrounding the patient receiving area essentially correspond to the advantages of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, which have been explained in detail above. Features, advantages or alternative embodiments mentioned here can also be transferred to the other claimed subjects and vice versa.

In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention for cleaning a patient receiving area, it can be provided that the second cleaning step is carried out while the patient table is being moved into the patient receiving area and/or while the patient table is being moved out of the patient receiving area. In this case, the second cleaning step can already be carried out when the patient table is first moved into the patient receiving area, at which point the first cleaning step is also carried out. Alternatively or additionally, the second cleaning step can also be carried out when the patient table is moved out of the patient receiving area, so that the patient table only enters the patient receiving area once to clean the patient receiving area must be introduced and implemented. In this way, a particularly fast and time-saving cleaning of the patient receiving area can be made possible.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Magnetresonanzvorrichtung mit einer Reinigungseinheit in einer schematischen Darstellung,

Fig. 2

eine vereinfachte Darstellung der Magnetresonanzvorrichtung mit einer alternativen Ausgestaltung einer Reinigungseinheit,

Fig. 3

eine vereinfachte Darstellung der Magnetresonanzvorrichtung mit einer weiteren alternativen Ausgestaltung einer Reinigungseinheit,

Fig. 4

eine vereinfachte Darstellung der Magnetresonanzvorrichtung mit einer weiteren alternativen Ausgestaltung einer Reinigungseinheit,

Fig. 5

eine vereinfachte Darstellung der Magnetresonanzvorrichtung mit einer weiteren alternativen Ausgestaltung einer Reinigungseinheit und

Fig. 6

ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren zu einem Reinigen eines Patientenaufnahmebereichs einer Magnetresonanzvorrichtung.

Show it:

1

a magnetic resonance device according to the invention with a cleaning unit in a schematic representation,

2

a simplified representation of the magnetic resonance device with an alternative configuration of a cleaning unit,

3

a simplified representation of the magnetic resonance device with a further alternative configuration of a cleaning unit,

4

a simplified representation of the magnetic resonance device with a further alternative configuration of a cleaning unit,

figure 5

a simplified representation of the magnetic resonance device with a further alternative embodiment of a cleaning unit and

6

a method according to the invention for cleaning a patient receiving area of a magnetic resonance device.

In the 1 a magnetic resonance device 10 is shown schematically. The magnetic resonance device 10 comprises a scanner unit 11 formed by a magnet unit. In addition, the magnetic resonance device 10 has a patient receiving area 12 for receiving a patient. The patient receiving area 12 in the present exemplary embodiment has a cylindrical shape and is surrounded in a cylindrical shape in a circumferential direction by the scanner unit 11, in particular by the magnet unit. In principle, however, a different configuration of the patient receiving area 12 is conceivable at any time.

The scanner unit 11 has a housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 . The housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 can be designed in one piece with a high-frequency antenna unit 15 of the scanner unit 11, in particular the magnet unit. In addition, the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 can also be designed separately from the high-frequency antenna unit 15 .

The patient can be pushed and/or driven into the patient receiving area 12 by means of a patient positioning device 16 of the magnetic resonance device 10 . For this purpose, the patient positioning device 16 has a patient table 17 designed to be movable within the patient receiving area 12 . In particular, the patient table 17 is mounted such that it can move in the direction of a longitudinal extension of the patient receiving area 12 and/or in a horizontal direction.

The scanner unit 11, in particular the magnet unit, comprises a superconducting basic magnet 18 for generating a strong and in particular constant basic magnetic field 19. Furthermore, the scanner unit 11, in particular the magnet unit, has a gradient coil unit 20 for generating magnetic field gradients, which are used for spatial coding during a imaging are used. The gradient coil unit 20 is controlled by a gradient control unit 21 of the magnetic resonance device 10 . The scanner unit 11, in particular the magnet unit, also includes the high-frequency antenna unit 15 for excitation of a polarization that occurs in the basic magnetic field 19 generated by the basic magnet 18. The high-frequency antenna unit 15 is controlled by a high-frequency antenna control unit 22 of the magnetic resonance device 10 and radiates high-frequency magnetic resonance sequences into the patient receiving area 12 of the magnetic resonance device 10 .

The magnetic resonance device 10 has a system control unit 23 for controlling the basic magnet 18 , the gradient control unit 21 and for controlling the high-frequency antenna control unit 22 . The system control unit 23 controls the magnetic resonance device centrally, such as for example the implementation of a predetermined imaging gradient echo sequence. In addition, the system control unit 23 includes an evaluation unit, not shown in detail, for evaluating medical image data that is acquired during the magnetic resonance examination.

Furthermore, the magnetic resonance device 10 includes a user interface 24 which is connected to the system control unit 23 . Control information such as imaging parameters and reconstructed magnetic resonance images can be displayed on a display unit 25, for example on at least one monitor, of the user interface 24 for a medical operator. Furthermore, the user interface 24 has an input unit 26, by means of which information and/or parameters can be entered by the medical operator during a measurement process.

The magnetic resonance device 10 has a cleaning unit 100 for cleaning the patient receiving area 12 , in particular the housing 14 of the scanner unit 11 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 . The cleaning unit 100 is at least partially arranged on the patient table 17 of the patient positioning device 16 . here are individual parts and/or units of the cleaning unit 100 are arranged on the patient table 17 . Furthermore, individual parts and/or units of the cleaning unit 100 are also arranged on the patient support device 16, in particular on a base unit 27 of the patient support device 16. In this case, the cleaning unit 100 comprises at least one unit which is arranged and/or integrated within the patient table 17 . In other words, the at least one unit is arranged within an area enclosed by a housing of the patient table 17 .

The cleaning unit 100 has a spray unit 101 which is designed to dispense a cleaning agent. In this case, the spray unit 101 has at least one nozzle 102 which is designed for dispensing the cleaning agent, in particular for spraying a cleaning liquid. The spray unit 101 preferably has two or more nozzles 102 so that the cleaning agent can be distributed in a targeted manner, in particular the cleaning liquid can be sprayed in a targeted manner onto the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 . The at least one unit of the cleaning unit 100, which is arranged inside the patient table 17, comprises the at least one nozzle 102 of the spray unit 101. The at least one nozzle 102 of the spray unit 101 is arranged in a front region 28 of the patient table 17. The front area 28 is arranged in a front area in the entry direction 29 of the patient table 17, in which the patient table 17 is moved into the patient receiving area 12.

Furthermore, the spray unit 101 has a reservoir 103 . The reservoir 103 is designed to hold the cleaning agent. The storage container 103 is arranged on the base unit 27 of the patient support device 16 . The reservoir 103 is arranged on the base unit 27 in such a way that it can be used by an operator, in particular a medical operator, to replace the reservoir 103 and/or to refill the reservoir 103 cleaning staff is available. The base unit 27 can include a compartment accessible from the outside for accommodating the storage container 103 .

The cleaning unit 100, in particular the spray unit 101, also has a cleaning agent channel 104 and/or a cleaning agent line, with the cleaning agent channel 104 and/or the cleaning agent line being arranged for transporting the cleaning agent between the storage container 103 and the at least one nozzle 102 within the patient positioning device 16 is. The cleaning-agent channel 104 and/or the cleaning-agent line can have, for example, a hose and/or other feed lines that appear sensible to a person skilled in the art. In addition, the cleaning unit 100, in particular the spray unit 101, has a pump 105 for transporting and/or conveying the cleaning agent within the cleaning agent channel 104 and/or within the cleaning agent line. The pump 105 is also arranged within the base unit 27 of the patient support device 16 .

The cleaning unit 100, in particular the spray unit 101, is activated for a cleaning process while the patient table 17 moves into the patient receiving area 12, so that the patient receiving area 12, in particular the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, is filled with the cleaning agent along the entire length of the patient receiving area 12 is sprayed.

In 2 An alternative embodiment of a cleaning unit 200 is shown. Components, features and functions that essentially remain the same are generally numbered with the same reference symbols. The following description is essentially limited to the differences from the exemplary embodiment in FIG 1 , whereby with regard to components, features and functions that remain the same, reference is made to the description of the exemplary embodiment in 1 is referenced.

The cleaning unit 200 in 2 is also designed for cleaning the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 and is at least partially arranged on the patient table 17 . The cleaning unit 200 has a spray unit 201 with at least one nozzle 202, a reservoir 203, a cleaning agent channel 204 and a pump 205. Regarding an arrangement and a design of the spray unit 201 to the statements 1 is referenced.

The cleaning unit 200 also has a drying unit 206 . The drying unit 206 is designed for drying air to flow into the patient receiving area 12 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the drying unit 206 is arranged at least partially within the patient table 17 . In particular, the drying unit 206 has at least one air nozzle 207 which is arranged inside the patient table 17 . The drying unit 206 also has a ventilation duct 208 and a fan 209 and/or ventilator. The fan and/or fan 209 is designed to generate an air flow. In addition, the fan 209 and/or fan are arranged inside the base unit 27 . The ventilation duct 208 is designed to supply air into the patient accommodation area 12, in particular from the fan 209 and/or fan to the at least one air nozzle 207. In addition, the drying unit 206 can also have an air intake opening (not shown in more detail) which is arranged on an outside of the base unit 27 .

For a cleaning process, the spray unit 201 of the cleaning unit 200 can be activated while the patient table 17 is being moved into the patient receiving area 12, so that the patient receiving area 12, in particular the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, is sprayed with the cleaning agent along the entire length of the patient receiving area 12 becomes. When exiting of the patient table 17 from the patient receiving area 12, however, the drying unit 206 of the cleaning unit 200 can be activated and in this way the patient receiving area 12, in particular the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, can be dried.

In an alternative configuration of drying unit 206, the at least one air nozzle 207 can also be embodied in one piece and/or in one piece with the at least one nozzle 202 of suction unit 201. In this case, the at least one nozzle 202, 207 could distribute the cleaning agent in a first operating mode and introduce an air flow into the patient receiving area 12 in a second operating mode. In a further alternative configuration of the drying unit 206, the at least one air nozzle 207 can also be arranged in the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12. With such a configuration of the drying unit 206 , the housing 14 has a ventilation opening through which drying air can flow into the patient receiving area 12 . In a further alternative configuration of the drying unit 206, it can also be designed in one piece and/or in one piece with a patient ventilation unit, which is not shown in detail. The patient ventilation unit preferably has a ventilation opening which is arranged in the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 .

In 3 An alternative embodiment of a cleaning unit 300 is shown. Components, features and functions that essentially remain the same are generally numbered with the same reference symbols. The following description is essentially limited to the differences from the exemplary embodiments in FIGS 1 and 2 , With respect to the same components, features and functions on the description of the embodiments in the 1 and 2 is referenced.

The cleaning unit 300 in 3 is also designed for cleaning the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 and is at least partially arranged on the patient table 17 . The cleaning unit 300 has a spray unit 301 with at least one nozzle 302, a reservoir 303, a cleaning agent channel 304 and a pump 305. Regarding an arrangement and a design of the spray unit 301 to the comments on the 1 and 2 is referenced.

The cleaning unit 300 also has a drying unit 306 , the drying unit 306 in the present exemplary embodiment being arranged, for example, on the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 . The drying unit 306 has an air nozzle 307, a ventilation duct 308 and a fan 309 and/or ventilator, which are arranged within a housing surrounding the scanner unit 11. The functioning of drying unit 306 corresponds essentially to the functioning of drying unit 206 in FIG 2 educated. As an alternative to this, the drying unit 306 could also be used as in 2 described be trained.

The cleaning unit 300 also has a suction unit 310 . A cleaning agent aerosol can be sucked off by means of the suction unit 310 after the cleaning agent has been discharged from the patient receiving area 12 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the suction unit 310 is arranged at least partially on the patient table 17 . For this purpose, the suction unit 310 has at least one suction nozzle 311 which is arranged on the patient table 17 . The at least one suction nozzle 311 is arranged after the nozzle 302 of the suction unit 301 in the direction of a longitudinal extension of the patient table 17. The suction unit 310 also includes a fan 312 and/or ventilator and/or a suction pump for generating an air flow, in particular a suction flow, which causes air and/or cleaning agent aerosols to be sucked out of the patient receiving area 12 . Furthermore includes the Suction unit 310 has a suction duct 313, which is used to divert the aspirated air and/or cleaning agent aerosols from the patient accommodation area 12 from the at least one suction nozzle 311 to a blow-out opening 314 of the suction unit 310. The blow-out opening 314 is arranged on a housing of the base unit 27 of the patient positioning device 16. The fan 312 and/or fan and/or the suction pump is also arranged within the suction channel 313 . The suction unit 310 also has a filter 315, which is designed to clean the sucked-in air with the cleaning agent aerosols. The filter 315 is arranged inside the suction channel 313 , the filter 315 being arranged inside the suction channel 313 in the area of the outlet opening 314 .

In an alternative configuration of the cleaning unit 200, in particular the suction unit 310, this can also be formed at least partially in one piece and/or in one piece with the spray unit 301. In particular, the at least one suction nozzle 311 of suction unit 310 can be embodied in one piece and/or in one piece with nozzle 302 of spray unit 301. The at least one nozzle 302 can comprise a type of double nozzle, which is designed both for distributing the cleaning agent, in particular for spraying the cleaning liquid, and for sucking off cleaning agent aerosols.

For a cleaning process, the spray unit 301 of the cleaning unit 300 can be activated while the patient table 17 is being moved into the patient receiving area 12, so that the patient receiving area 12, in particular the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, is sprayed with the cleaning agent along the entire length of the patient receiving area 12 becomes. At the same time as the patient table 17 is moved into the patient receiving area 12 or only when the patient table 17 is moved out of the patient receiving area 12, the suction unit 310 can be activated for suction of the cleaning agent aerosols from the patient receiving area 12. In addition, the drying unit 306 of the cleaning unit 300 can be activated during the extension of the patient table 17 from the patient receiving area 12 and in this way the patient receiving area 12, in particular the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, can be dried.

In 4 An alternative embodiment of a cleaning unit 400 is shown. Components, features and functions that essentially remain the same are generally numbered with the same reference symbols. The following description is essentially limited to the differences from the exemplary embodiments in FIGS Figures 1 to 3 , With respect to the same components, features and functions on the description of the embodiments in the Figures 1 to 3 is referenced.

The cleaning unit 400 in 4 is also designed for cleaning the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 and is at least partially arranged on the patient table 17 . The cleaning unit 400 has a spray unit 401 with at least one nozzle 402, a reservoir 403, a cleaning agent channel 404 and a pump 405. With regard to an arrangement and a configuration of the spray unit 401, reference is made to the statements on the Figures 1 to 3 referred.

Furthermore, the cleaning unit 400 in 4 also a drying unit 406, which is arranged at least partially within the patient table 17. The drying unit 406 has an air nozzle 407, a ventilation duct 408 and a fan 409 and/or ventilator. With regard to an arrangement and a design of the drying unit 406, reference is made to the statements 2 referred.

The cleaning unit 400 also has a suction unit 410, by means of which a cleaning agent aerosol can be suctioned off after the cleaning agent has been applied the patient receiving area 12 can take place. The suction unit 410 is at least partially arranged on the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 . The suction unit 410 has at least one suction nozzle 411 which is arranged on the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 . Furthermore, the suction unit 410 has a fan 412 and/or ventilator and/or a suction pump, a suction channel 413, an exhaust opening 414 and a filter 415. The exhaust opening 414 is arranged on a housing of the scanner unit 11, in particular on a rear side of the scanner unit 11. The suction channel 413 is arranged within an area surrounded by the housing of the scanner unit 11 for transporting air and/or cleaning agent aerosols sucked out of the patient receiving area 12 to the blow-out opening 414 . With regard to the functioning of the suction unit 410, reference is made to the embodiment 3 referred.

For a cleaning process, the spray unit 401 of the cleaning unit 400 can be activated while the patient table 17 is being moved into the patient receiving area 12, so that the patient receiving area 12, in particular the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, is sprayed with the cleaning agent along the entire length of the patient receiving area 12 becomes. Simultaneously with the movement of the patient table 17 into the patient receiving area 12 or only when the patient table 17 is extended from the patient receiving area 12, the suction unit 410 can be activated to suck off the cleaning agent aerosols from the patient receiving area 12. In addition, while the patient table 17 is being extended from the Patient reception area 12 activates the drying unit 406 of the cleaning unit 400 and in this way the housing 14 surrounding the patient reception area 12 is dried.

In figure 5 An alternative embodiment of a cleaning unit 500 is shown. Substantially consistent components, features and functions are fundamental numbered with the same reference numerals. The following description is essentially limited to the differences from the exemplary embodiments in FIGS Figures 1 to 4 , With respect to the same components, features and functions on the description of the embodiments in the Figures 1 to 4 is referenced.

The cleaning unit 500 in figure 5 is also designed for cleaning the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 and is at least partially arranged on the patient table 17 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the cleaning unit 500 is designed at least partially as an additional unit, wherein the additional unit can be arranged and/or positioned on the patient table 17 for cleaning the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 . In this case, the cleaning unit 500 has a spray unit 501 which is encompassed by the additional unit. The spray unit 501 comprises at least one nozzle 502, which is designed to distribute the cleaning agent, in particular to spray a cleaning liquid. The spray unit 501 also has a reservoir 503, a cleaning agent channel 504 and a pump 505, which are also included in the additional unit. For cleaning the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, the additional unit, in particular the spray unit 501, is positioned and/or arranged on the patient table 17 in such a way that the at least one nozzle 502 of the spray unit 501 is arranged in the front area 28 of the patient table 17. With regard to the functioning of the spray unit 501, reference is made to the statements on the Figures 1 to 4 referred.

The cleaning unit 500 also has a drying unit 506 which is also included in the additional unit that can be arranged and/or positioned on the patient table 17 . The drying unit 506 has at least one air nozzle 507, a ventilation duct 508 and a fan 509 and/or ventilator. Regarding an arrangement and a Configuration of the drying unit 506 to the explanations 3 is referenced.

The cleaning unit 500 also has a suction unit 510 which is also included in the additional unit that can be arranged and/or positioned on the patient table 17 . The suction unit 510 also has at least one suction nozzle 511, a fan 512 and/or ventilator and/or a suction pump, a suction channel 513, an exhaust opening 514 and a filter 515, which are also included in the additional unit. With regard to the functioning of the suction unit 510, reference is made to the statements on the Figures 3 to 4 referred.

To clean the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 , the additional unit of the cleaning unit 500 is first positioned on the patient table 17 . For a cleaning process, the spray unit 501 of the cleaning unit 500 can be activated while the patient table 17 is being moved into the patient receiving area 12, so that the patient receiving area 12, in particular the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, is sprayed with the cleaning agent along the entire length of the patient receiving area 12 becomes. Simultaneously with the movement of the patient table 17 into the patient reception area 12 or only when the patient table 17 is extended from the patient reception area 12, the suction unit 510 can be activated for suction of the cleaning agent aerosols from the patient reception area 12. During the extension of the patient table 17 from the patient reception area 12 the drying unit 506 of the cleaning unit 500 is also activated and the patient receiving area 12, in particular the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, is dried in this way.

The in the Figures 1 to 5 The magnetic resonance devices 10 illustrated can, of course, include further components that magnetic resonance devices 10 usually have. A general mode of operation of a magnetic resonance device 10 is also known to a person skilled in the art, so that a detailed description of the other components is not provided.

In 6 is a method for cleaning the patient receiving area 12, in particular the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, of the magnetic resonance device 10 by means of one of the Figures 2 to 5 cleaning unit 200, 300, 400, 500 shown. If the method is carried out with a cleaning unit 500, which is at least partially embodied as an additional unit, before the start of the method for cleaning the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, a user, in particular a medical operating staff and/or a cleaning staff, uses the additional unit positioned and/or arranged on the patient table 17 of the patient support device 16 . The user positions and/or arranges the additional unit on the patient table 17 in such a way that the spray unit 501, in particular the at least one nozzle 502 of the spray unit 501, is arranged in the front region 28 of the patient table 17.

If the cleaning unit 200, 300, 400 after the Figures 2 to 4 is formed, the cleaning unit 200, 300, 400 is at least partially already integrated in the patient table 17, so that no further preparations for executing the method for cleaning the patient receiving area 12 are required.

At the beginning, the user starts the method for cleaning the patient receiving area 12 . This can be done, for example, by means of the input unit 26 of the user interface 24 and/or an operating unit of the cleaning unit 200, 300, 400, 500, which is not shown in detail. In a first method step 600, the patient table 17 is moved into the patient receiving area 12. Simultaneously with the moving in of the patient table 17 into the patient receiving area 12, a first cleaning step of a cleaning process takes place in a second method step 601. The first cleaning step includes application and/or distribution of a cleaning agent by means of the cleaning unit 200, 300, 400, 500. In particular, the first cleaning step includes spraying of a cleaning liquid by means of the spray unit 201, 301, 401, 501 of the cleaning unit 200, 300, 400, 500

A third method step 602 includes a second cleaning step of the cleaning process, wherein the second cleaning step includes a drying step and/or a suction step. The drying step is carried out by means of the drying unit 206, 306, 406, 506 of the cleaning unit 200, 300, 400, 500. The suction step is carried out by means of the suction unit 310, 410, 510 of the cleaning unit 300, 400, 500.

The third method step 602, in particular the second cleaning step of the cleaning process, can also be carried out while the patient table 17 is being moved into the patient receiving area 12, in particular if the second cleaning step includes the suction step. In addition, the third method step 602, in particular the second cleaning step of the cleaning process, can also be carried out while the patient table 17 is being extended out of the patient receiving area 12, in particular if the second cleaning step includes the drying step and/or the suction step.

The method for cleaning the patient receiving area 12, in particular the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, preferably runs automatically and/or automatically after it has been started once by a user. For this purpose, the cleaning unit 100 , 200 , 300 , 400 , 500 has a computing unit that controls a sequence of the method for cleaning the housing 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 . In the present is the unit of account of the cleaning unit 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 integrated within the system control unit 23 of the magnetic resonance device 10. In addition, the computing unit of the cleaning unit can also be designed separately from the system control unit 23 .

To carry out the method for cleaning the patient admission area 12, the processing unit of the cleaning unit 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 has at least one processing module and/or a processor. In particular, the computing unit is designed to execute computer-readable instructions in order to execute the method according to the invention for cleaning the patient receiving area 12 . In particular, the processing unit comprises a storage unit, computer-readable information being stored on the storage unit, the processing unit being designed to load the computer-readable information from the storage unit and to execute the computer-readable information in order to carry out a method according to the invention for cleaning the patient admission area 12.

The components of the processing unit can for the most part be embodied in the form of software components. In principle, however, these components can also be partially implemented in the form of software-supported hardware components, for example FPGAs or the like, particularly when particularly fast calculations are involved. Likewise, the interfaces required, for example when it is only a matter of taking over data from other software components, can be designed as software interfaces. However, they can also be in the form of hardware interfaces that are controlled by suitable software. Of course, it is also conceivable that several of the components mentioned are combined in the form of a single software component or software-supported hardware component.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described in more detail by the preferred embodiments, so The invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

Magnetic resonance device with a scanner unit, a patient receiving area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, wherein the scanner unit comprises a housing that at least partially surrounds the patient receiving area, and a patient support device with a patient table, wherein the patient table is designed for a horizontal movement within the patient receiving area,
characterized by a cleaning unit for cleaning the housing surrounding the patient receiving area, the cleaning unit being arranged at least partially on the patient table. Magnetic resonance device according to claim 1,
characterized in that the cleaning unit has at least one unit which is arranged inside the patient table and/or can be arranged and/or positioned as an additional unit on the patient table. Magnetic resonance device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the cleaning unit has a spray unit, the spray unit having nozzles for distributing a cleaning agent. Magnetic resonance device according to claim 3,
characterized in that the nozzles are arranged in a front area of the patient table. Magnetic resonance device according to one of claims 3 to 4,
characterized in that the spray unit comprises a reservoir which is arranged on a base unit of the patient support device. Magnetic resonance device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the cleaning unit has a drying unit, the drying unit being designed for drying air to flow into the patient receiving area. Magnetic resonance device according to claim 6,
characterized in that the drying unit is arranged at least partially on the patient table and/or on the housing surrounding the patient receiving area. Magnetic resonance device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the cleaning unit has a suction unit. Magnetic resonance device according to claim 8,
characterized in that the suction unit is arranged at least partially on the housing surrounding the patient receiving area and/or on the patient table. Magnetic resonance device according to one of claims 8 to 9,
characterized in that the suction unit comprises at least one suction channel with a filter. Method for cleaning a patient receiving area, in particular a housing surrounding the patient receiving area, of a magnetic resonance device by means of a cleaning unit, the method comprising the following steps: - moving a patient table into the patient receiving area, with the cleaning unit being arranged on the patient table, - At the same time as the patient table is moved into the patient receiving area, a first cleaning step of a cleaning process is carried out, wherein the first cleaning step comprises applying a cleaning agent by means of the cleaning unit, and - carrying out a second cleaning step, the second cleaning step comprising a drying step and/or a suction step. Method according to claim 11,
characterized in that the second cleaning step is carried out while the patient table is being moved into the patient accommodation area and/or while the patient table is being moved out of the patient accommodation area.

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